THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


f 


BY  AUNT  HATTIE, 

AUTHOR  OF  "BROOKSIDE  SERIES,"  ETC. 


14  In  everything  give  thanki."— PATTL. 


BOSTON  : 
HENRY    A.    YOUNG   &   CO., 

24    COKNHILL. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  In  the  year  1867,  by 
EEV.  A.  E.  BAKER, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  District  of 
Massachusetts. 


Co 
BllIE,  ROUND  COTTOX,  ASM,  AM)  FULLER  APPLETOS, 


CHI1DREK  OF  MT  BELOVED 


THE  REV.  JOHN  COTTON  SMITH,  D.D., 


WITH  THE  EARNEST  FRATEB 


Lil  TBKIB  LIVES  MAT  PBOTK  THEM  TO  BE  LAMBS  Of  THE  FOLD 


OF  THE  OBEAT  AND  GOOD 


of  Israel. 


622717 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Page 
THE  MALTESE  KITTY, 11 


CHAPTER  II. 
No  THANKS,      .... 


CHAPTER  III. 
THE  SABBATH  SCHOOL,    ....  32 

CHAPTER  IV. 
THE  DRUNKARD, .44 

CHAPTER  V. 
THE  UNGRATEFUL  SON,  .       .        .        .67 


X  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Page 
THE  STRANGE  VISITOR, 63 

CHAPTER    VII. 
FINDING  A  PLACE, 79 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
THE  GRATEFUL  DOG, 90 


THE  LOST  KITTY. 


CHAPTEK   L 

THE    MALTESE    KITTY. 
I 

Hatty  !    see    that   pretty 
kitty  !      I  wonder   where 
she  came  from." 
Fred  Carleton  walked  softly  tow- 
ard the  puss,  his  hand  outstretched, 
calling,  "  Kitty,  pretty  kitty,"  until 

he  had  her  in  his  arms. 

11 


12  THE   LOST  KITTY. 

His  sister  Hattie  took  her  hands 
from  the  dish-water,  wiped  them  on 
the  roller,  and  came  toward  him. 

w  "Why  Fred!"  she  exclaimed, 
"that's  Ned  Perry's  kitty'.  Clara 
says  its  a  real  Maltese.  They'll  feel 
dreadfully  when  they  know  it's 
lost." 

"I  wish  they  wouldn't  mind," 
said  Fred,  caressing  the  puss ; 
w  see  how  she  loves  me!  I'd  like  to 
keep  her  so  much." 

?c  But  would  you  have  Ned,  who 
is  a  roguish  boy,  catch  one  of 


THE   MALTESE   KITTY.  13 

your  bantams  and  keep  it?  You'd 
call  that  stealing." 

Fred  sighed.  "But  I  didn't  go  to 
catch  her,  Hatty;  she  came  right 
into  the  door.  I  think  that's  differ- 
ent." 

"  Perhaps  she  is  hungry." 

"O  Hatty!  may  I  try  her  with 
some  milk?  " 

"Yes,"  she  answered,  laughing 
at  his  eagerness.  "Pour  some  in- 
to a  saucer  from  the  pitcher  in  the 
closet,  and  see  whethe  she  will 
drink  it." 


14:  THE   LOST    KITTY. 

He  was  rewarded  by  the  sight  of 
pussy  lapping  up  the  milk. 

"I  do  believe  kitty  is  thanking 
me,"  he  said,  laughing  and  clap- 
ping his  hands.  w  See  how  she 
keeps  looking  up!  I  never  saw  a 
kitty  do  so  before." 

Puss  did,  indeed,  seem  to  be 
grateful.  She  lapped  away  at  the 
milk  with  great  eagerness,  and 
then  she  would  look  in  the  face 
of  her  benefactor,  and  utter  a  soft 
little  mew. 

w  Frederick, "     called    out    Mrst 


PUSSY  LAPPING  THE  MILK.    Page  14. 


THE   MALTESE  KITTY.  15 

Carleton  from  the  head  of  the 
stairs,  "  isn't  it  time  for  you  to  go 
to  school?" 

"It's  Saturday,  ma;  I  don't  go 
to-day." 

"Oh,  I  forgot,"  she  said;  "well, 
come  up  here  a  minute." 

Fred  obeyed,  carrying  kitty  in 
his  arms. 

"What  a  pretty  puss!"  his 
mother  exclaimed;  "where  did  you 
find  her?  " 

Fred,  standing  very  erect  and 
firm,  told  all  the  circumstances  re- 


16  THE  LOST  KITTY. 

lating  to  his  new  friend,  and  then 

asked,  — 

"What  shall  I  do  with  her?" 
w  Carry  her  to  Mrs.  Perry,  to  be 

sure." 

• 

"But  it's  a  long  walk,  and  it's 
awful  muddy,  ma.  Couldn't  I  let 
her  stay  here,  and  tell  K"ed  at 
Sabbath  school?" 

w  Is  that  the  way  you  would  like 
JSTed  to  do,  if  the  kitty  were  yours? 
Perhaps  he  is  looking  everywhere 
for  her  now,  and  mourning  because 
his  pet  is  lost." 


THE  MALTESE  KETTT.  17 

Frederick  sat  for  a  moment 
stroking  the  cat's  soft  fur;  then 
he  started  up,  exclaiming,  "I'llt 
go  right  off.  I  don't  care  if  it  is 
muddy.  I  know  Ned  will  be  so 
glad." 

It  was  indeed  quite  a  task  for  a 
child  of  only  eight  years  to  carry 
a  half-grown  cat  over  a  muddy 
road  for  a  third  of  a  mile.  But 
Fred  anticipated,  with  delight,  the 
pleasure  he  should  give,  and  the 
thanks  he  would  receive.  Once 
kitty,  not  liking  to  be  held  so  tight- 


18  THE  LOST  KITTY. 

ly,  escaped  from  his  arms,  and  led 
him  a  chase  over  the  wall  into  a 
marshy  field;  but  he  caught  her 
again  at  last,  and  laughed  alone  by 
himself,  imagining  how  ISTed  and 
Clara  would  run  to  meet  him  as  soon 
as  they  saw  what  he  was  carrying. 

Hatty  had  finished  washing  the 
dishes,  and  had  swept  the  dining- 
room  and  kitchen,  when,  happening 
to  look  from  the  window,  she  saw 
Fred  corning  back. 

He  scraped  the  mud  from  his 
boots  and  came  into  the  kitchen, 


MALTESE  KITTY.  19 

his  face  expressive  of  the  greatest 
disgust. 

"What's  the  matter  now?"  in- 
quired his  sister,  laughing  at  his 
comical  expression;  w  didn't  you  get 
the  kitty  safe  home?  " 

"Yes.", 

"Well,  weren't  they  glad  to  find 
her?" 

"  I  didn't  see  anybody  but  Mrs. 
Perry,  and  she  was  just  as  cross  as 
she  could  be.  She  never  thanked 
me  one  mite.  She  only  looked  at 
mv  boots  as  if  she  was  afraid  I 


20  THE  LOST   KITTY. 

was  going  to  walk  in,  and  then  she 
said,  — 

" '  Welly  put  her  down ;  cats  are  a 
great  bother,  any  way.' " 

"Why  didn't  you  tell  Mrs.  Perry 
you  would  take  her  back  again?  I 
should  think  she  raiorht  have 

o 

thanked   you,   anyhow." 

"I  hate  not  to  be  thanked,"  ex- 
claimed Fred. 

"Especially  when  you  took  pains 
to  go  so  far  through  all  this  mud." 

"  Next  time  kitty  comes  here, 
crying  and  trying  to  come  in,  I'll 


THE   MALTESE   KITTY.  21 

keep  her  myself.    I'm  as  tired  as 
I  can  be,  I  had  to  chase  her  so." 

Fred  took  off  his  boots,  and  went 
np  stairs,  where  his  mother  sat  sew- 
ing, to  relate  his  grievances  to 
her. 


CHAPTER    H. 


NO   THANKS. 


IRS.  CAKLETCCT  was  at 
work  on  a  new  suit  of 
clothes.  They  were  of  a 
soft  gray  cloth,  and  made  in  a  fash- 
ion which  greatly  pleased  the  little 
boy.  First,  there  was  a  pair  of  pant- 
aloons, or  pants,  as  Fred  called  them; 
then  a  vest,  he  had  never  worn  a  vest 
before;  and  last,  a  nice  jacket  with 


NO   THANKS.  23 

a  pocket  in  the  left  side,  just  like 
the  ones  worn  by  the  big  boys, 
The  jacket  and  vest  were  bound 
with  black  braid. 

Mrs.  Kent  had  taken  great  pains 
with  the  new  suit.  First,  she  had 
to  give  more  for  the  cloth  than  she 
could  well  afford;  but  she  admired 
its  soft,  firm  texture,  and  willingly 
gave  up  a  new  black  silk  apron 
which  she  expected  to  purchase: 
the  money  thus  saved  met  the 
extra  expense  of  the  cloth. 

Next,  came  the  fitting  of  the  suit. 


24:  THE   LOST   KITTY, 

There  was  no  children's  tailor  in 
the  town;  and,  if  there  had  been, 
Mrs.  Carleton  could  not  afford  to 
pay  him  for  the  cutting.  So  she 
sent  to  her  sister  in  the  city,  who 
kindly  furnished  a  paper  pattern, 
which  she  had  used  for  her  own 
son. 

There  was  a  good  deal  of  trouble 
in  all  this;  but  the  mother  took  it 
cheerfully,  rising  earlier  than  usual, 
and  sitting  up  late,  in  order  to  fin- 
ish the  clothes  before  the  examina- 
tion of  the  school. 


EX)   THANKS.  25 

When  Fred  came  up  the  stairs 
she  was  at  work  on  the  vest.  She 
listened  with  interest  to  all  he  had 
to  say,  especially  when  he  expressed 
his  displeasure  that  Mrs.  Perry  did 
not  even  thank  him  for  carrying  her 
kitty  home. 

Finding  her  too  busy  to  talk 
much,  he  was  going  downstairs, 
when  she  said,  — 

"Wait  a  minute,  Fred;  I  want 
to  try  on  this  vest;  and  then  I  have 
something  to  say  to  you." 

"Need    I    take    off   my  jacket, 


26  THE  LOST  KITTY. 

mother  ?  I've  tried  it  on  so  many 
times." 

*  Yes,  dear,  I've  had  to  alter  it  a 
little.  Stand  still;  I  "can't  pin  it 
while  you  are  jerking  your  head  so 
continually." 

wlt  hurts,  ma.  I  can't  bear  to 
try  on  clothes,"  he  said,  impatiently. 
"I  had  rather  wear  my  old  ones 
than  to  have  to  keep  changing  so 
many  times." 

"While  Fred  was  buttoning  his 
jacket  again,  Mrs.  Carleton  asked, 
earnestly, — 


NO   THANKS.  27 

"Did  you  say  your  prayer  this 
morning  ?  " 

"  No,  ma'am,  I  forgot  it." 
w  Do  you  often  forget  ?  " 
"A  good  many  times  I  do  in  the 
morning,  because  I  hear  the  chick- 
ens calling  for  their  dough." 

w  But  you  don't  forget  to  eat  your 
breakfast." 

"  Oh,  no,  ma,  of  course  not  ! " 
"Nor    to    drink   when  you    are 
thirsty,  nor  to  warm  yourself  when 
it  is  cold,  nor  to  lie  down  to  rest 
when  you  are  weary." 


28  THE  LOST  KITTY. 

"Of  course,  ma,  I  do  that 
Everybody  does." 

w  But,  Fred,  who  gives  you  your 
breakfast?  Who  provides  a  pleas- 
ant home  for  you;  a  fire  and  clothes 
to  warm  you;  a  bed  for  you  to  rest 
upon?  "Who  gives  you  health  and 
strength;  a  good  appetite  for  your 
food?  Who  made  your  form  erect 
and  vigorous,  instead  of  lame  and 
deformed,  like  poor  Israel  Wasson? 
Do  you  ever  think  who  has  done  all 
these  things  for  you  ?  " 

"  God  made  me,"  said  the  boy; 


NO   THANKS,  29 

fcand  gave  me  all  the  blessings 
which  I  enjoy.  That's  the  answer 
in  my  catechism." 

"My  little  son,"  said  the  lady, 
seriously;  "you  were  much  dis- 
pleased because  Mrs.  Perry  ex- 
pressed no  gratitude  for  the 
small  favor  you  did  her;  but  you 
confess  that  many  mornings  you 
forget  to  thank  your  heavenly 
Father  for  all  his  kindness  to  you, 
You  said, — 

:? c  Catch  me  carrying  her  kitty 
home  through  all  the  mud  again.' 


30  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

"What  if  God  should  say,  <  I  have 
given  Frederick  Carleton  a  good 
home,  food  to  eat,  clothes  to  wear, 
a  house  to  live  in,  and  friends  to 
love  him,  I  have  done  this  for 
eight  years;  but  he  seldom  thanks 
me.  He  jumps  out  of  bed,  runs  to 
his  breakfast,  satisfies  all  his  wants, 
but  does  not  even  think  of  me,  the 
Giver  of  all  his  blessings.  I  will 
do  nothing  more  for  him.  After 
this  he  shall  be  a  poor,  homeless 
wanderer,  suffering  from  hunger 
and  thirst,  from  cold  and  naked- 


NO   THAITCS.  31 

ness.  I  do  hate  people  who  don't 
thank  me  for  the  favors  which  I 
bestow.' " 


CHAPTEE   m. 

THE   SABBATH   SCHOOL. 

19 

9^ 

i  * 

[HILE  his  mother  was 
speaking,  Fred  had  drop- 
ped his  cap  to  the  floor, 
and  sat  looking  at  her,  his  eyes 
staring  wide  open. 

""Why,  ma,"  he  said,  eagerly;  "I 
didn't  know  that  God  would  care." 
"  There  is  nothing,  my  child,  that 
our    heavenly  Father    loves    more 


THE   SABBATH  SCHOOL.          33 

than  a  grateful  heart.  How  often 
did  David  express  his  gratitude  to 
the  Most  High.  He  says,  ?  It  is  a 
good  thing  to  give  thanks  unto  the 
Lord,  and  to  sing  praises  unto  thy 
name,  O  Most  High  !  to  show 
forth  thy  loving-kindness  in  the 
morning,  and  thy  faithfulness  every 
night.'  Again  he  says,  c  I  will  bless 
thee  while  I  live.  Seven  times  a 
day  do  I  praise  thee.'  The  Bible 
is  full  of  thanks  to  God  for  his 
continued  mercies  to  his  undeserv- 
ing creatures.  Moses,  the  great 

3 


34  THE  LOST  KITTY. 

lawgiver,  commands,  'When  thou 
hast  eaten  and  art  full,  then  thou 
shalt  bless  the  Lord  thy  God.'  Joel 
says,  *  Ye  shall  eat  in  plenty  and  be 
satisfied,  and  praise  the  name  of 
the  Lord  thy  God.'  Even  Jesus, 
who  as  God,  was  the  Creator  of 
all  things,  when  he  took  the  seven 
loaves,  gave  God  thanks  for  the 
means  to  satisfy  the  hunger  of  all 
the  multitude." 

WI  never  thought  of  it  before, 
ma.  I  don't  believe  I  shall  forget 
again.  I  know,  when  you  pray 


THE    SABBATH   SCHOOL.          35 

with  me,  you  always  say,  *  We  thank 
thee  for  food  and  all  our  blessings; ' 
but  I  never  before  thought  that  he 
wanted  us  to  do  it." 

"A  grateful  heart,  Fred,  thanks 
its  benefactor,  because  it  loves  to 
do  so;  it  cannot  help  it. 

"Don't  you  remember,  the  last 
time  your  father  came  home,  how 
pleased  you  were  with  the  birds 
he  brought  you?  You  could  not 
stop  thanking  him.  Over  and  over 
again  you  said, ?  O  pa,  I'm  so  much 
obliged  !  These  are  just  what  I 


36  THE   LOST  KITTY. 

wanted.  I'm  so  very  glad  !  And 
I  thank  you  so  much  ! ' ' 

"Yes,  ma;  I  remember  all  about 
it." 

"  Don't  you  think  your  father  was 
better  pleased  than  if  you  had 
taken  the  cage,  hung  it  up  by  the 
window,  and  said  nothing  about 
the  birds?" 

w  O  ma  !  of  course  I  wouldn't  do 
that,  when  he  had  brought  them 
over  the  ocean  for  me." 

"Or,  suppose  Hatty  had  taken 
the  beautiful  silk  he  bought  for  her 


THE   SABBATH   SCHOOL.          37 

in  Canton,,  carried  it  to  the  dress- 
maker's, and  then  worn  it  without 
ever  thanking  him  for  his  kindness; 
would  he  have  been  encouraged  to 
bring  her  another  present,  do  you 
think?" 

"No,  indeed,  ma." 

"Shall  I  tell  you  what  I  was 
thinking  when  you  were  trying  on 
your  vest  ?  " 

Fred  held  down  his  head,  his 
cheeks  covered  with  blushes. 

"I  said  to  myself,  'My  son  feels 
very  indignant  because  Mrs.  Perry 


38  THE   LOST  KITTY. 

did  not  thank  him  for  carrying 
home  her  cat.  Now,  if  he  him- 
self had  a  grateful  heart,  he  would 
thank  me  for  taking  so  much  pains 
with  his  new  suit,  instead  of  being 
so  sulky  about  the  trifling  annoy- 
ance of  trying  it  on.  I  had  bet- 
ter inake  the  vest  anyhow  since  he 
is  so  ungrateful.' " 

"Did  you  think  that,  ma?  I'm 
real  sorry.  I  wont  act  so  again.  I 
have  thought  ever  so  much  about 
it;  and  last  night,  after  you  prayed 
with  me,  I  said  to  myself,  '  I  ought 


THE   SABBATH    SCHOOL.          39 

to  be  a  real  good  boy,  ma's  so 
kind  to  sit  up  and  work  on  my 
clothes.'" 

!N"ed  Perry  was  in  the  same  class 
at  Sabbath  school,  as  Fred  Carle- 
ton.  As  they  were  walking  home 
together,  Ned  said,  — 

"I  don't  see  how  our  cat  hap- 
pened to  run  away.  Mother  said 
you  brought  her  home." 

w  Yes,  I  did  I  If  she  comes  again, 
I  sha'n't  try  it  through  all  the  mud. 
I  got  awfully  tired." 

w  Why  didn't  you  keep  her  ?  " 


40  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

"I  thought  you'd  be  looking 
everywhere;  and  Hatty  said  I  ought 
to  go.  I'll  give  you  my  new  top  if 
you'll  let  me  keep  her." 

"I'll  do  it;  for  mother  hates  to 
have  her  round;  she  kills  chickens 
so." 

"Kills  chickens  !  Oh,  I  guess 
that's  what  she  was  after  at  our 
house." 

Fred  suddenly  remembered  that 
he  had  first  seen  her  near  the  hen- 
coop; and  he  also  remembered  that 
this  was  Sunday,  and  that  he  ought 


THE    SABBATH   SCHOOL.          41 

not  to  have  been  making  bargains 
about  cats. 

"  That  was  a  real  good  story  Miss 
Darling  told  us  to-day,"  he  said, 
changing  the  subject. 

"Yes,  she's  a  tip-top  teacher  ! 
She  makes  us  understand  the  les- 
son; and  that's  what  I  never  did 
before." 

"I'm  going  to  wait  here  till 
Hatty  comes  up,"  said  Fred,  stop- 
ping at  the  corner  where  his  com- 
panion had  to  leave  him,  and  look- 
ing earnestly  up  the  street. 


42  THE  LOST  KITTY. 

"When  do  you  want  the  kit- 
ty?" 

WI  don't  want  her  if  she  kills 
chickens;  but  I'll  talk  with  Hatty 
about  it  to-morrow." 

"Did  ISTed  thank  you?"  asked 
Hatty,  smiling. 

w  No,  he   don't  want   the   cat ! " 

Fred  then  repeated  the  story 
which  his  teacher  had  related.  The 
subject  of  temperance  had  come  up 
in  connection  with  the  lesson,  and 
Miss  Darling  wished  to  impress 
upon  the  minds  of  her  class  the 


THE    SABBATH   SCHOOL.          43 

evils  of  drunkenness.  As  you  may 
like  to  hear  the  story,  I  will  relate 
it  in  the  next  chapter. 


CHAPTEE    IV. 

THE   DRUXJIAKD. 

^ 

MAN,  living  in  the  State 
of  Arkansas,  was  in  the 
habit  of  spending  his 
evenings  at  a  tavern,  where  he  often 
became  so  drunk  that  he  could 
scarcely  reach  home. 

One  night  he  stayed  later  than 
usual,  so  that  when  he  left  the  tav- 
ern, honest  people  had  long  been  in 


THE   DKUNHABD.  45 

bed.  The  liquor  he  had  taken  so 
bewildered  his  senses  that  he  knew 
not  where  he  was  going.  At  last, 
he  staggered  into  an  empty  wagon- 
shed  and  fell  on  the  ground. 

For  a  long  tune  he  lay  uncon- 
scious of  everything  about  him,  and 
would,  no  doubt,  have  frozen,  as  the 
night  was  very  cold,  had  not  he 
been  cared  for  by  others  less  insen- 
sible than  himself. 

This  shed  was  a  favorite  resort 
for  the  hogs,  which  were  out  when 
the  new-comer  arrived,  but  soon 


46  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

returned  to  their  nest.  In  the  ut- 
most kindness,  they  gave  the  man 
the  warmest  place  in  the  middle  of 
the  bed;  some  lying  close  by  his 
side,  and  others  acting  the  part  of 
the  quilt.  Their  company  made 
him  so  warm  that  he  was  kept  from 
exposure. 

Toward  morning  he  began  to 
rouse  from  his  drunken  sleep,  but 
felt  so  comfortable  that  he  supposed 
himself  still  in  the  tavern  with  his 
companions. 

He    reached   out  his   hand,   and 


THE   PBUSrKAPJX  47 


catching  hold  of  the  stiff  bristles  of 
i  hog,  exclaimed,  — 

"Why,  Mister,  when  did  you 
.have  last?" 

"How  did  Daniel  Jones  look 
while  Miss  Darling  was  telling  the 
story  ?  "  asked  Hatty,  much  inter- 

ested. 

* 
"lie   *ooked  very  red.     I   don't 

believe  teacher  knows  what  a 
drunkard  his  father  is." 

"Well,"  said  Hatty;  "you  and  I 
ought  to  be  very  thankful  that  our 
father  is  a  temperance  man.  How 


i8  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

should  you  feel  to  have  him  lying 
with  the  hogs  ?  " 

"I  never  thought  how  many 
things  we  have  to  be  grateful  for," 
said  Fred,  gravely.  "If  I  had  a 
father  like  Dan  Jones,  I  never 
could  look  anybody  iu  the  face." 

Mrs.  Carleton,  finding  that  her 
son's  mind  was  still  dwelling  on 
gratitude,  promised  to  relate  a  story 
on  the  subject,  as  soon  as  tea  was 
cleared  away. 

While  Hatty  was  doing  this, 
Fred  took  his  book  to  learn  the  les- 


THE   DRIHSTKABD.  49 

son  for  the  next  Sabbath.  lie  was 
nearly  through  when  he  noticed 
that  his  sister  was  trying  to  lift  the 
table  alone,  and  set  it  in  its  place 
next  the  wall. 

"Let  me  help  you,  Hatty,"  he 
cried,  jumping  to  her  assistance. 

"Thank  you,  Fred,"  and  she 
kissed  him. 

"I  like  to  do  things  for  people 
who  thank  me,"  he  replied,  eagerly. 

"Why, my  dear?" 

"Because,  ma,  I  know  then  —  I 
know  they're  pleased.  I  can't 


50  THE   LOST  KLTTT. 

explain  the  reason,  only  it  makes 
me  feel  better." 

"You  feel  that  they  appreciate 
your  kindness.  Isn't  that  the  rea- 
son?" 

"Yes,  ma;  and  then  I  want  to  do 
something  more." 

"I  remember,"  said  the  lady, 
"  when  I  was  a  young  girl,  about 
Hatty's  age,  I  went  with  my  aunt 
to  make  a  visit  to  a  distant  relative. 
There  were  quite  a  number  of  cliil- 
dren  in  the  family.  "When  we  sat 
down  to  the  table,  soon  after  our 


THE   DRUISTSAJID.  51 

arrival,  the  boys  and  girls  began 
scrambling  for  food, —  snatching 
everything  that  was  within  reach. 
I  looked  on  in  astonishment.  My 
aunt  passed  me  some  bread.  *I 
thank  you/  I  said  ;  and  I  repeated 
the  words  ? thank  you'  every  time 
anything  was  passed  to  me. 

"At    last    these    rude    children 
began  to  laugh. 

'Who  are  you  thanking  so 
much  ? '  asked  one.  c  We  never 
say  "thank  you."  "We  get  all  we 
can  without  any  such  fuss.' 


52  THE   LOST  KITTY. 

:t?At  home,'  I  answered,  elwas 
always  taught  to  say  "  thank  you  " 
for  every  civility.  I  think  it  is  much 
pleasanter  to  do  so.  "Wont  you  try 
it?' 

w  They  began  at  once,  in  mockery, 
to  pass  each  other  cake  and  cheese, 
laughing  rudely  as  they  repeated 
the  words,  '  thank  you.'  I  was 
never  so  much  disgusted,  and  must 
confess,  that  before  we  left  the  sup- 
per-table, I  felt  somewhat  as  Fred- 
erick did  when  Mrs.  Perry  treated 
his  kindness  so  coolly." 


THE   DRITNTIAPJD.  53 

w  How  long  did  you  have  to  stay 
there,  ma  ?  " 

"Two  days.  I  was  never  so 
homesick.  The  mother  was  a  hard- 
working woman,  toiling  from  morn- 
ing to  night  for  her  family.  One 
evening  she  sat  up  till  midnight 
finishing  a  pair  of  mittens  for  her 
oldest  son.  She  told  him  of  this 
the  next  morning  ;  but  he  did  not 
express  one  word  of  gratitude.  He 
only  said,  — 

:?  You  might  have  finished  them 
earlier  if  you'd  been  a  mind  to  ! ' ' 


54  THE,  LOST  KITTY. 

WI  would  have  snatched  them 
right  away,"  exclaimed  Hatty. 

w  Ilis  mother  had  never  taught  him 
to  be  grateful.  She  did  not  seem 
to  expect  any  thanks;  but  when  he 
had  left  the  room  she  sighed  heav- 
ily as  she  said,  — 

'"It's  hard  to  please  children,  do 
what  you  will.' " 

w  Is  that  the  story  you  promised 
us,  ma  ?  "  inquired  Frederick. 

"No,  dear;  I  happened  to  think 
of  that  visit,  when  you  said  you 
loved  to  do  anything  for  your  sister 


THE   DRUNKARD.  OD 

because   she  thanks  you  so  heart- 
By." 

"Do  you  suppose  it  was  that 
visit,  ma,  that  made  you  so  particu- 
lar always  to  say  '  thank  you '  when 
I  bring  in  wood,  or  find  eggs,  or  any 
such  things  ?  " 

"  I  was  so  disgusted,  Fred,  with 
the  want  of  gratitude  to  their  hard- 
working mdther,  and,  indeed,  with 
the  absence  of  common  civility,  I 
may  have  thought  more  on  the  sub- 
ject; but  I  trust  you  will  find, 
wherever  you  go,  that  those  who 


56  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

are  most  grateful  to  God  for  his 
mercies  are  most  inclined  to  thank 
each  other." 


CHAPTEE    Y. 


THE   UNGRATEFUL    SON. 


[ATTY  is   all  ready  now, 
ma." 

"It  is  not  a  very  long 
story,  my  dear;  but  it  shows  God's 
displeasure  at  ingratitude  to  par- 
ents. 

"In  Birmingham,  England,  there 
once  lived  a  family  who  were  poor. 
The  father  died,  at  last,  and  all  the 


58  THE   LOST  KITTY. 

yc/unger  children,  leaving  the 
widow  with  her  two  eldest  sons. 
At  this  time,  they  had  gone  into 
business,  and  were  able  to  assist 
her;  but  they  forgot  all  she  had 
done  for  them,  often  denying  her- 
self food  that  they  might  have 
enough.  They  forgot  the  days  and 
nights  she  had  watched  by  them  in 
sickness;  and,  when  she  humbly 
entreated  a  little  help,  they  refused 
her. 

"  She  was  so  feeble  that  she  could 
do  little  for  her  own  support,  and 


THE   UNGRATEFUL   SOK.         59 

was  obliged  with  great  reluctance 
to  apply  to  the  parish  for  assist- 
ance. 

??  For  two  years  she  received  the 
small  sum  of  two  shillings  a  week 
from  the  overseers  of  the  poor, 
which,  with  a  little  help  from  some 
Christian  friends,  was  all  she  had 
to  live  upon. 

"  During  this  time  the  younger  of 
these  two  sons  died;  not  peacefully 
on  his  bed,  trusting  that  Jesus  would 
forgive  all  his  sins,  but  in  the  most 
terrible  agony  both  of  body  and 


60  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

mind,  cursing  and  raving  because 
he  must  leave  all  his  property,  and 
go  to  a  world  of  darkness. 

"The  eldest  son  was  shrewd  in 
his  business,  and  in  a  few  years 
became  rich.  He  was  still  unmar- 
ried; but  he  refused  again  and 
again  to  assist  his  mother,  though 
many  persons  applied  to  him  hi  her 
behalf.  He  held  offices  of  trust  in 
the  city,  but  still  allowed  his  infirm 
mother  to  eke  out  her  poor  existence 
on  the  parish  allowance. 

"At  last  his  ungrateful,  inhuman 


THE   UNGRATEFUL    SON.          61 

conduct  rendered  him  so  notorious 
that  he  caused  her  name  to  be  struck 
off  the  parish  books,  and  allowed 
her  the  two  shillings  from  his  own 
pocket;  but  not  a  penny  more,  even 
when  he  was  possessed  of  thousands 
of  pounds. 

"One  day  some  friends  of  the 
old  lady  were  assembled,  among 
whom  was  her  clergyman.  They 
expressed  great  indignation  at  the 
base  ingratitude  of  the  son,  and 
proposed  that  a  remonstrance  be 
drawn  up. 


62  THE   LOST  KITTY. 

:c  ? No,'  said  the  minister;  '  if  that 
man  dies  possessed  of  the  property 
which  he  is  now  worth,  I  shall  be 
greatly  deceived.  God  will  never 
suffer  such  base  ingratitude  to  pros- 
per.' 

"Shortly  after,  the  mother  died 
a  happy  death,  and  very  soon 
the  prospects  of  her  wicked  son 
began  to  change.  He  met  with 
great  losses;  and  finally  he  was 
reduced  to  poverty  as  abject  as  his 
mother's  had  been.  No  one  pitied 
him;  but  all  felt  his  suffering  was 


THE   UNGRATEFUL   SCXN".          63 

richly  deserved,  and  was  a  just  pun- 
ishment for  his  sin." 

"  What  a  wicked  man  ! "  cried 
Frederick.  "I  would  never  do  so; 
I  would  have  you  live  with  me,  ma, 
and  take  care  of  you  all  your  life." 

Mrs.  Carleton  kissed  her  boy  and 
softly  whispered  in  his  ear,  — 

"Thank  you,  my  darling;"  and 
then  it  was  time  for  them  to  get  their 
Bibles,  and  read  aloud  in  turn. 
Afterward  Mrs.  Carleton  knelt,  and 
prayed  for  herself  and  her  absent 
husband,  and  for  their  dear  chil- 


64  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

dren,  that  God  would  make  them 
sensible  of  all  his  blessings  and 
would  give  them  hearts  to  praise 
him  for  his  great  mercies. 

Fred  usually  fell  asleep  almost  as 
soon  as  his  head  touched  the  pillow; 
but  this  night  he  was  very  wakeful. 
The  stories  he  had  heard,  both  from 
his  teacher  and  his  mother,  led  him 
to  think  of  the  end  of  wicked  men; 
and  he  resolved,  as  he  had  never 
done  before,  that,  with  God's  help, 
he  would  try  to  be  a  consistent 
Christian. 


THE   UXGKATEFUL    SON.          65 

Especially  he  thought  of  his 
father,  and  wondered  where  he  was, 
how  soon  he  would  be  home,  and 
what  kind  of  a  present  he  would 
bring  this  time. 

Fred's  father  was  a  sea-captain. 
He  had  once  been  very  successful 
in  business;  but  two  years  before 
the  time  I  Jiave  written  about,  his 
vessel  was  wrecked,  and  he  barely 
escaped  with  his  life. 

As  he  could  not  afford  to  lose  his 
time  in  waiting  for  the  command  of 
a  new  ship,  he  took  the  situation 


66  THE  LOST  KITTY. 

of  first  mate,  in  which  he  had  con- 
tinued ever  since.  It  was  now  a 
few  days  more  than  a  year  since  he 
sailed,  and  Hatty  noticed  that  her 
mother  began  to  watch  the  clouds 
more  than  she  had  done,  while  she 
supposed  him  too  far  off  the  coast 
to  be  affected  by  storms.  Still  as  he 
was  not  now  the  captain,  he  might 
not  be  able  to  leave  the  vessel  at 
once,  even  if  it  had  arrived  in 
port. 

Mrs.  Carleton   said  little  to  her 
children  of  the  subject  which  filled 


THE   UNGRATEFUL   SON.         67 

her  heart;  but  night  after  night, 
while  they  were  soundly  sleeping, 
she  prayed  that  he  from  whom  she 
had  been  separated  so  many  weary 
months  might  be  brought  in  safety 
to  his  home. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

THE   STRASTGE   VISITOR. 

""£%- 
'^ 

£HE  day  of  the  examination 
arrived  at  last.  The  new 
suit  was  completed  and 
hanging  in  the  closet.  The  nicely 
starched  collar,  and  the  pretty  brown 
bow  were  laid  with  a  clean  pocket- 
handkerchief  hi  the  drawer. 

Fred  had  been  very  diligent  in 
reviewing  his  lessons;  but   as   the 


THE   STRANGE   VISITOR.          69 

time  drew  near  when  he  would  be 
called  out  to  recite,  his  heart  beat 
fast  with  excitement. 

"I  wish  the  examination  was 
over,"  he  said  a  dozen  times.  w  I'm 
almost  sure  I  shall  miss  in  geogra- 
phy. I  can  say  my  piece  just  as 
well  as  can  be;  but  when  I  see  all 
the  people  looking,  I'm  afraid  I  shall 
forget  every  word." 

The  day  was  fine;  and  Mrs. 
Carleton  and  Hatty  left  home  at  an 
early  hour  so  as  to  secure  seats  in 
the  crowded  hall 


70  THE  LOST  KITTY. 

There  was  a  raised  stage  at  one 
end,  on  which  the  scholars  stood 
while  examined  by  the  committee, 
who  occupied  seats  on  the  opposite 
platform,  the  visitors  filling  up  all 
the  vacant  space. 

The  exercises  of  examination 
were  interesting  to  the  parents, 
each  feeling  a  natural  desire  that 
his  or  her  child  should  excel;  and 
then  the  teacher  announced  that 
there  would  be  speaking  from  the 
first  class. 

Just     at    this    moment    Hatty's 


THE   STRANGE   VISITOR.          71 

bright  eyes  noticed  a  stranger  en- 
ter the  xloor,  who  was  at  once  in- 
vited to  a  seat  of  honor  near  the 
committee. 

There  was  something  about  his 
eyes  that  startled  her.  They  wan- 
dered quickly  about  the  room  as  if 
in  search  of  some  one,  and  then 
fixed  themselves  gravely  upon  the 
school.  The  lower  part  of  his  face 
was  completely  hidden  by  a  heavy 
beard. 

Hatty  touched  her  mother,  call- 
ing her  attention  to  the  stranger; 


72  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

but,  with  scarcely  a  glance  at  the 
gentleman,  Mrs.  Carleton  gave  her 
attention  to  the  speaking. 

At  the  close  of  the  school,  a 
member  of  the  committee,  'Squire 
Long,  arose  and  said  to  the 
teacher,  — 

"  I  am  so  much  pleased  with  your 
boys,  that  I  am  going  to  indulge 
myself  with  the  pleasure  of  giving 
each  one  of  them  a  book  to  remem- 
ber me  by." 

He  untied  a  parcel,  and  took  out 
some  prettily  bound  volumes,  which 


THE   STRANGE   VISITOR.          73 

he  proceeded  to  distribute,  to  the 
great  joy  of  the  boys. 

The  scholars  generally  looked 
much  pleased;  but  not  one,  except 
Fred  Carleton,  expressed  his  grati- 
tude. "When  it  came  his  turn  to  go 
forward,  his  whole  face  was  covered 
with  a  rosy  flush.  He  bowed  when 
the  volume  was  put  in  his  hands, 
and  with  a  cordial  WI  thank  you, 
sir,"  retired  to  his  seat. 

There  were  several  whispered 
comments  on  Fred's  conduct;  all 
agreeing  that  he  had  done  well. 


74  THE  LOST  KITTY. 

w  That  boy  has  a  good  mother/' 
murmured  one  of  the  committee  in 
the  ear  of  the  bearded  stranger. 

The  gentleman  only  bowed. 

In  the  confusion  of  leaving  the 
hall,  Hatty  lost  sight  of  the  strange 
visitor;  but  she  could  not  forget  the 
impression  he  had  made  upon  her 
and  continued  to  talk  about  him  all 
the  way  home. 

?'I  can't  think  where  I've  seen 
him  before.  His  eyes  looked  as 
familiar  as  possible." 

Before  they  started  for  the  school 


THE   STRANGE   VISITOR.          75 

they  had  drawn  down  the  curtains 
and  locked  the  door,  Mrs.  Carleton 
taking  the  key  in  her  pocket. 
Now,  as  they  approached  the 
house,  they  were  surprised  to  see 
the  curtains  tip,  and  the  shed  door 
wide  open. 

Hatty  darted  forward  to  see  who 
was  within,  and  presently,  with  a 
joyful  scream,  was  held  fast  in  the 
arms  of  the  mysterious  stranger. 

"  Husband  !  "  murmured  Mrs. 
Carleton,  instantly  recognizing 
him 


76  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

« Thank  God,"  he  said,  "that  I 
see  you  all  once  more  ! " 

w  When  did  you  come  ?  How 
changed  you  are  !  I  was  sure  I 
had  seen  your  eye  somewhere/' 
exclaimed  Hatty,  full  of  joyful 
excitement. 

WI  was  proud  of  you,  my  boy," 
said  Captain  Carle  ton,  again  em- 
bracing him.  "  I  was  proud  of  you 
and  proud  of  your  mother,  who  has 
trained  you  to  such  good  manners. 
I  pray  God  you  may  always  honor 
her  as  you  did  to-day." 


THE   STRANGE   VISITOR.          77 

Mrs.  Carleton,  having  laid  aside 
her  bonnet  and  shawl,  rose  to  make 
preparations  for  supper. 

"  Now,  ma,  you  sit  right  down," 
exclaimed  Hatty,  gently  putting  her 
back  into  the  chair.  w  I  can  do 
everything.  You  sit  and  talk  with 
pa." 

"You  will  find  a  lobster  in  the 
closet,"  said  the  captain.  ""We 
can  well  afford  to  have  a  little  feast, 
for  the  Adolphus,  my  new  vessel, 
is  completed,  and  will  be  ready  for 
sea  before  I  am,  I  fear." 


78  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

.  "  Good  news  !  good  news  !  Pa 
is  captain  again." 

"Yes,"  added  the  gentleman; 
"the  owners  have  been  very  gen- 
erous. They  have  allowed  me  a 
sum  in  advance,  which,  with  what 
I  have  made  in  the  last  voyage, 
will  buy  a  share  in  her.  I  hope  for 
a  prosperous  trip." 

"You  have  returned  safely;  and 
I  could  be  satisfied  with  that,"  fal- 
tered Mrs.  Carleton,  her  eyes  full 
of  tears,  though  hope  prevailed  in 
her  heart. 


CHAPTEK    TH. 


A  PLACE. 


|E  must  now  pass  over  sev- 
eral years,  during  which 
Captain  Carleton  was  very 
much  prospered.  He  had  become 
rich,  and  loved  to  share  his  wealth 
with  others. 

Hatty  was  married  to  a  merchant 
from  the  neighboring  city;  and  she, 
who  had  been  so  dutiful  a  daugh- 


80  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

ter  and  so  loving  a  sister,  bid  fair 
to  be  an  affectionate  wife. 

Frederick  at  sixteen  graduated 
from  the  High  School  with  the  first 
honors.  For  a  time  he  had  been 
anxious  to  go  to  sea  with  his  father; 
but,  as  his  mother  y/as  unwilling, 
he  concluded  to  be  a  merchant. 

As  Mrs.  Carleton  still  remained 
in  her  old  home,  she  wished  her  son 
to  obtain  business,  at  least  for  the 
present,  in  the  same  town;  so  one 
morning  he  set  out  to  find  himself 
a  place. 


•FINDING-  A  PLACE.  81 

All  day  long  he  went  from  one 
store  to  another;  but  nowhere  was 
a  boy  wanted.  lie  returned  home 
at  night  quite  disheartened,  but, 
after  a  cheerful  talk  with  his 
mother,  resolved  he  wouldn't  give 
up. 

There  were  a  few  of  the  largest 
stores  into  which  he  had  not  ven- 
tured. Now  he  said  to  himself,  — 
"  Nothing  venture,  nothing  have." 
So,  putting  on  a  resolute  face,  he 
started  off  to  renew  his  efforts. 

There  was  one  immense  flour  and 

6 


82  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

grain  store  down  by  the  wharf, 
owned  by  Long,  Haynes,  &  Long, 
into  which  he  had  looked  with  great 
interest. 

The  vessels,  loaded  with  grain, 
came  up  to  the  very  door,  whence 
the  huge  bags  were  taken  by  means 
of  the  tackle  into  the  upper  stories 
of  the  great  storehouse. 

"That  is  the  kind  of  place  I 
should  like,"  he  said  to  himself, 
watching  the  men  running  to  and 
fro.  "Business  seems  lively.  I 
wonder  whether  any  of  the  part- 


A  PLACE.  83 

ners  are  in  the  counting-room?  I 
wish  somebody  would  introduce 
me;  but  if  I  must  go  alone,  I  must. 
It's  no  use  standing  here  dreading 
it." 

"I  want  to  see  'Squire  Long," 
he  said,  addressing  a  man  who 
wore  a  meal-bag  apron. 

"  Go  to  the  counting-room,  then; " 
and  the  porter  was  gone  without 
another  word. 

He  was  relieved  to  see  that  the 
gentleman  was  alone,  and,  looking 
as  bold  as  possible,  he  asked,  — 


84    '  THE   LOST  KETTY. 

w  Do  you  want  a  boy,  sir  ?  " 
"Without  answering,   the   'Squire 

peeped  over  the  top  of  his  glasses, 

but  tried  in  vain  to  make  out  who 

he  was. 

"I  know  your  face,   my  young 

friend,"  he  said,  "but  I  can't  call 

your  name." 

w  Frederick  Carleton,  sir." 

"  Oh,  yes;  I  know  now  !     You're 

the   young  lad  who  said,  ?  I  thank 

you,'  when  you  received  the  book 

in  schooL" 

"I   thank  you   again   for  it,  sir. 


FINDING  A  PLACE.  85 

I  have  read  it  a  great  many  times. 
I  have  it  now." 

"  And  you  want  to  be  a  flour  and 
grain  merchant  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir.  I  should  like  that 
best  of  anything." 

w  Why  don't  you  go  to  sea  with 
yonr  father?" 

w  Mother  wants  me  to  stay  with 
her.  If  it  were  not  for  that,  my 
brother-in-law  would  take  me  into 
his  store." 

w  How  old  are  you  ?  " 

f?  Sixteen,  last  April." 


86  THE   LOST  KITTY. 

"Ay  !  ay  !  And  what  can  yon 
do,  my  boy  ?" 

"Almost  anything,  sir.  Mother 
brought  me  up  to  work.  Ever 
since  I  was  seven  years  old  I  have 
sawed  and  split  wood.  I  like  to 
work,  sir,  and  that  made  me  want 
to  come  here;  there  seems  enough 
to  do." 

'Squire  Long  took  out  his  watch. 
"Let  me  see,"  he  said  to  himself; 
r?  I  must  be  at  the  bank  at  ten.  I 
shall  be  in  the  city  till  five.  "Well, 
Frederick,  you  may  tell  your 


A   PLACE.  87 

mother  that  I  will  do  myself  the 
pleasure  of  calling  on  her  after  tea." 

He  took  his  pen  without  another 
word,  but  smiled  when  Fred  ex- 
claimed, warmly, — 

"  Thank  you,  sir; "  and  then  went 
on  with  his  writing. 

Exactly  at  seven  o'clock  he 
drove  to  the  door. 

w  I  told  my  partners,"  he  said  to 
the  lady,  "what  I  knew  of  the  lad; 
and,  though  we  don't  really  need 
another  hand,  yet  Ihey  gave  up  to 
the  whims  of  an  old  man,  who  has 


88  THE   LOST  E3TTY. 

taken  a  fancy  to  a  boy  that  says 
c  thank  you '  so  earnestly.  I've  had 
my  eye  on  the  lad  for  a  good  many 
years;  and  he  may  enter  the  store 
of  Long,  Haynes,  &  Long  as  soon 
as  he  pleases." 

Neither  Mrs.  Carleton  nor  her  son 
failed  to  express  their  gratitude  to 
the  kind  old  gentleman  for  acced- 
ing so  cheerfully  to  their  wishes. 

"I  know  what  I'm  about,"  he 
answered,  laughing;  "I  believe  in 
God's  promise  to  the  children  of 
those  that  love  him,  and  keep  his 


A  PLACE.  89 

commandments.  I  mean  to  make 
Frederick  my  confidential  clerk ; 
and  I  expect  to  get  the  best  part 
of  the  bargain." 


CHAPTEE    Yin. 


THE   GRATEFUL   DOG. 


ANY  people  wondered 
by  what  piece  of  good 
luck  so  young  a  boy  as 
Fred  Carleton  was  taken  into  the 
most  prosperous  store  in  town. 

The  mother  and  son  did  not  fail 
to  ascribe  it  to  the  over-ruling  care 
of  their  heavenly  Father. 

They  recognized  in  this  event  a 


THE   GRATEFUL   DOG.  91 

new  source  of  gratitude;  for  they 
knew  he  put  the  kind  thought  into 
'Squire  Long's  heart. 

Fred  entered  into  his  new  em- 
ployment with  all  the  energy  of  his 
character,  and  soon  convinced  the 
other  partners  that  he  meant  to 
do  his  part  faithfully. 

Even  here  his  quick  appreciation 
of  kindness  and  the  heartiness  with 
which  he  said  w  thank  you  "  for  the 
least  favor,  won  him  many  friends. 
The  idea  of  his  having  gained  his 
present  situation,  merely  by  show- 


92  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

ing  his  gratitude,  caused  him  to 
think  much  on  the  subject,  both 
of  his  indebtedness  to  God  and  to 
his  Christian  parents. 

One  Sabbath  day  he  and  %  his 
mother  passed  all  then-  time  out  of 
church  in  looking  up  instances  .in 
the  Bible  where  gratitude  for  kind- 
ness was  shown  from  man  to  man; 
as,  for  instance,  David's  friendship 
to  Jonathan's  family,  on  account 
of  their  former  kindness  to  himself. 
Also  his  kindness  to  Barzillai,  in 
allowing  him  to  live  where  he 


THE   GRATEFUL   DOG.  93 

pleased,  because  the  old  man  had 
provided  him  food  when  he  lay  hid 
at  Mahanaim. 

They  read  the  account  of  Joseph 
in  prison,  and  the  ingratitude  of 
the  chief  butler,  who  forgot  his 
promise  to  plead  for  Joseph  with 
Pharaoh. 

Soon  after  this  time,  a  packet  of 
letters  was  received  from  Captain 
Carleton,  by  a  schooner  the  Adol- 
phus  had  met  on  her  passage  out. 
Curiously  enough,  Frederick's  let- 
ter contained  an  incident  on  the 


94  THE   LOST  KITTY. 

very  subject  which  of  late  had  oc- 
cupied so  many  of  their  thoughts. 

As  I  have  no  doubt  it  will  please 
my  young  readers,  I  shall  copy  it. 


DEAR  SON,  —  You  will  re- 
member that  I  told  you  I  had 
engaged  to  take  out  several  pas- 
"sengers  .  to  India.  There  was  one 
more  than  I  expected.  This  was 
a  noble  dog,  of  the  St.  Bernard 
breed.  He  was  the  property  of  a 
lady  who  had  formerly  lived  in 
India,  and  was  returning  there 


THE    GBATEEUL   DOG.  95 

with  her  three  children,  after  a 
visit  to  her  home  in  America. 
Mrs.  Lenox  has  two  sons  and  one 
daughter,  a  little  fairy,  the  pet  of 
all  on  board.  The  sons  are  in- 
dolent, quarrelsome  fellows,  who 
not  only  make  themselves  unhap- 
py, but  also  try  to  annoy  their 
mother  in  every  way. 

"  Inez,  the  little  girl,  never  comes 
on  deck  without  being  accompanied 
by  Caesar,  the  great  dog.  He  is 
her  companion,  protector,  and 
friend.  He  follows  her  gravely 


96  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

up  and  down  the  deck,  lying  by 
her  side  when  she  is  quiet,  or 
giving  his  body  as  a  pillow  for 
her  to  lie  upon.  I  have  often  seen 
her  soundly  sleeping  with  her  curly 
head  resting  on  his  shaggy  hair. 

"Neither  of  the  boys  likes  the 
dog.  They  shut  him  up,  blind  his 
eyes,  and  play  all  manner  of  tricks 
upon  him.  One  day  CaBsar  came 

on   deck  limping   badly.     I  exam- 

• 

ined  his  foot  and  found  it  deeply 
cut.  I  still  suspect  it  was  the 
work  of  Lawrence,  the  eldest  boy. 


THE    GKATEEUL   DOG.  97 

Inez  was  almost  frantic  with  grief. 
She  insisted  on  holding  the  band- 
ages while  the  mate  bound  up  the 
wound,  all  the  time  weeping  over 
her  pet. 

w  CaBsar  fully  appreciated  her 
affection.  He  looked  mournfully 
in  her  face,  wagging  his  tail,  and, 
as  soon  as  the  dressing  was  com- 
pleted, began  to  lick  her  hands  and 
face  in  token  of  his  gratitude. 

"  Every  day  the  wound  was 
carefully  dressed,  Inez  standing 
by  and  caressing  the  dog.  At  the 


98  THE  LOST  EITTT. 

end  of  a  week  the  cut  was  almost 
entirely  healed.  The  little  girl 
could  scarcely  express  her  joy. 
She  danced  up  and  down  the  deck, 
or  rode  on  Caesar's  back,  holding 
on  to  his  shaggy  hair. 

w  One  morning  I  went  on  deck 
and  saw  Inez  playing  near  the  bow 
of  the  ship.  Xext  I  heard  a 
scream,  and  saw  Csesar  leap  into 
the  water.  My  heart  gave  one 
great  bound,  and  then  the  loud 
cry,  r  Child  overboard  1 '  made  all 
hearts  quail  with  fear. 


THE   GRATEFUL   DOG.  99 

"There  was  a  stiff  breeze,  and 
the  vessel  making  near  ten  knots 
an  hour.  My  fear  was  that  before 
the  boats  could  be  lowered  we 
should  be  too  far  off;  but  I  was 
mistaken.  The  grateful  dog 
plunged  down  when  he  saw  his 
mistress  sink,  and  rose  with  her 
clothes  firmly  grasped  in  his  teeth. 
Then  he  commenced  swimming 
after  the  vessel,  while  the  sailors 
in  the  boats  were  making  toward 
him  as  fast  as  possible. 

"It  was  a  moment  of  silent  re- 


100  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

joicing  when  our  pretty  Inez  wan 

safe  on  board  again.     Mrs.  Lenox 

• 
wept    arid    strained    the    dripping 

child  to  her  heart,  after  which  she 
hugged  faithful  Csesar,  drenched 
as  he  was,  in  her  arms. 

fclf  a  dog  can  feel  happiness,—  • 
of  which  I  have  no  doubt,  —  Caesar 
did  during  the  rest  of  that  day. 
The  sailors  rubbed  his  coat  dry,  and 
fed  him  sumptuously.  Everybody 
praised  him;  but  what  he  enjoyed 
more  than  all  else  was  the  sight 
of  Inez  brought  on  deck  by  her 


THE   GRATEFUL   DOG.          101 

mother,  and  set  down  by  his  side. 
'He  walked  round  her,  smelled  her 
clothes,  seeming  to  fear  they  were 
still  damp,  then  licked  her  hands 
and  face,  wagging  his  tail,  giving 
short,  joyful  barks,  and  trying,  as 
well  as  he  knew  how,  to  show  her 
his  delight  at  having  had  it  in  his 
power  to  save  her  life  as  a  return 
for  all  her  care  of  him." 

During  the  weeks  which  fol- 
lowed, Fred  and  his  sister  talked 
much  of  the  noble  dog  and  his 


102  THE   LOST   KITTY. 

grateful  friend  Inez.  They  thought 
Inez'  mother  could  not  be  grateful 
enough  to  the  affectionate  creature, 
and  made  many  plans  respecting 
the  way  they  would  show  their 
gratitude  if  they  were  in  her 
place. 

Fred  said, "  I  would  build  a  beau- 
tiful dog-house  with  a  top  like  one 
of  the  heathen-  temples,  and  have 
an  account  of  Ca3sar's  heroism 
printed  in  large  letters  on  a  sign- 
board over  the  front."  But  Hatty 
thought  that  Csesar  would  better 


THE    GRATEFUL   DOG.          103 

appreciate  good  care,  plenty  of 
meat,  and  Inez'  fond  caresses. 

"I  am  glad  you  feel  so,"  re- 
marked Mrs.  Carleton.  "It  was  9 
noble  act  in  the  dog,  though  I  sup- 
pose he  ran  no  great  risk  of  losing 
his  own  life.  Dogs,  especially  of 
the  St.  Bernard  breed,  are  quite 
at  home  in  the  water.  But,  Fred, 
can  you  think  of  any  man  who  not 
only  risked  his  life,  but  freely  gave 
it  up  for  yours  ?  " 

Fred's  eyes  dropped  to  the  flooi 
as  he  answered, — 


104  TIIE   LOST   KIT1 

*wTes,  mother,  Jesus  Christ." 

"  What  is  he  sometimes  called  ?  " 

"  The  God-man." 

"  Have  you  ever  been  grateful  to 
him,  my  dear  ?  " 

"I  think  I  do  love  him,  mother, 
though  I  never  can  love  him 


enough   for   all  he  has   done." 


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OF  CALIFORNIA 


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